Dear Editor,
This is an open letter to education minister, Petter Saint Jean.
Mr. Saint Jean,
I write pertaining to the opportunities presented to the students from your constituency regarding furthering their education. It’s time someone shed some light on what’s been happening to them in the area.
Students, more specifically college graduates who cannot find gainful employment, wishing to further their education at Universities in the States or other geographic areas feel like they are placed on the back burner at your ministry. They do not expect any preferential treatment but as Minister of Education and the Parl Rep Sir, you can do better. Much better.
Throughout your tenure as Education Minister, how many students from your constituency have gone out to study? How many full scholarships have been given? How many partial scholarships awarded?
Now, compare this to the number of students from Grandbay, Cottage, Portsmouth, Vielle Case, Mahaut and even Wesley. Last year alone Gloria Shillingford successfully lobbied for scholarships and received nine full ones for her constituents for a university in the United States.
Recently, Ronald Toulon, though silent enough, got for his constituency. He, like Hon Shillingford, will push for his students to receive full scholarships. Why can’t you do the same?
Is it because most students from your constituency willing to further their education come from families who are not your top supporters?
Is it because they are beneath you? You may say that there are ‘FULL’ scholarship opportunities open to the general public to go to China, Morocco, Venezuela etc, but some of them may not be able to come up with $6,000.00 to travel to China; Or they may not want to compromise their religious beliefs by going to Morocco, or even go to a Communist country.
Sir, I have had the pleasure to listen to the plight of some of the students. They are afraid to speak to you directly. They feel as though you believe that they are inferior.
Please Sir, do better for your people. They are the very ones who will vote for you to remain in office. .
A university graduate in EVERY home by 2015 is one of the main goals of your ministry. Not your home or your supporters only.
There are students who have done well at school in the constituency who deserve a chance. Please engage the young people from your constituency. Help those who are unable to help themselves.
This article was posted in its entirety as received by Dominica News Online. We do not correct any spelling or grammatical errors in Letters to the Editor. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of DNO or its advertisers.
It is just not right to say that the minister of education is not doing enough for la plaine. In fact La Plaine constituency covers Boetica and Delices. La Plaine has professionals like all other places. Looking for gainful employment or ways and means of furthering themselves academically should never be the responsibility of the government. Don’t parents take responsibility of their children anymore????? Do we expect the minister to go house to house seeking students interesting in going to obtain a degree????? Come on, let’s not use this in politics. A number of students affiliated with the opposition party as well as this ruling party have benefited from the scholarship program. I can assure you that if a list is to be put out with names of students assisted by this government the UWP families are the ones who have gotten most of the assistance. Give Jack his jacket and give Petter his biscuit.
I would like to add my piece to this issue because it is real and it is affecting many young people in the constituency. In my humble opinion, this is the worst minister for Education our country has ever seen. The man has no backbone and can do nothing for his people. I had an encounter with him myself when I was seeking assistance from government to pursue a master’s degree programme overseas. I was told the same thing; it is the Prime Minister that decides. So my question is, why have a minister for Education if he can´t help people or can´t make certain decisions?
I try not to be judgemental in my comments on DNO but really, what has this minister done for Education in Dominica as a minister, and as a Parliamentary Representative for his constituency in particular? Unfortunately, Mr Saint Jean has failed in both regards. The people of La Plaine should think seriously about re-electing him as ParlRep.
The young people of La Plaine and Dominica by extension deserve much better. Therefore I am urging Mr Saint Jean to do the honourable thing and step down, both as minister and ParlRep, in the best interest of all. As one who prophesies Christianity, I do hope you will be honest with yourself and resign… but then again, morality has gone out the window these days!
Who is responsible for the education of its citizens? Who should do much for the people of D/ca especially where education is concern? Not difficult questions but when a citizen tries his best to reach the top, it is great when this individual gets government support. In the letter to the editor, l found the message somewhat disheartening, as much as l agree, it is not an entitlement. I am not one to blame the government for all citizen’s failures but l welcome government’s intervention when they have “a mind is terrible thing to waste” attitude. Sadly, we do not expect the government to send every Tom, Dick, and Harry to foreign lands for education. How nice it would be but poor D/ca, how many or who will stay away when their studies are up? Where will D/ca get the money. Already, elected officials are all over the place begging for money (know what l mean). This is truly an issue for us though. But we must realize, that studying abroad requires much thought (planning), effort, and money. What is important after that is, a job in the desired field. The truth is, only the student and his or her parents, scholarship winners, and off-course the lucky or should l say the rich ones will get that great opportunity.
We all know the writer..He is struggling fighting for power..Trust me that won’t help get UWP in power.
them fellas are there to pocket for themselves and family .my daughter is asking for help and all he do is give cock and bull story oh is the P.M THAT DEALING WITH ISSUES LIKE HERS .it looks like a one man party and no one can standup to skerrit and tell him OFF
Thankful for the help I’m receiving. Others on campus receive more..but its a great relief
these characters of the dlp don’t care about the poor people of Dominica. they only want to fatten their pockets and live lavishly… wicked set of what shal I do!!!
My Brother NO ONE is POOR in this country!!!!
im on a partial scholarship..im grateful.. wish it could be more like the others but im thankful nonetheless
im on a partial scholarship..im grateful.. wish it could be more like the others
the author of this letter needs to get there facts straight. Ronald Toulon has not attained any full scholarship or partial scholarship for any of the young people in Colihaut recently Please do not give him undeserved praise.
It is good that persons are free to comment as they wish. I am not here to compare actions by Parl Reps and will not even highlight the pitiful non-action by the former Minister of Education and Parl Rep Ron Green. Everyone knows of his dismal record. Lets now question the achievement of La Plaine Students from High school and the State College? CXC passes and Grades and GPA’s at the State College compared to other Students in areas highlighted. Are they sufficiently good grades to sit at Universities? Maybe the person who wrote can encourage the students from La Plaine to spend more quality time at their books. Please present a list of the students with acceptance at universities and/or students with the required entry grades, and only would this letter have merit. Thank you.
So was his niece qualified to study medicine in Venezuela? if she was she would not be sent back home to then attend the DSC, waste of a scholarship.
no one said there have been preferetial treatment. seem like you on of them that do not “want to go out to USA,they think 4yrs is too long to get another degree,and the others just want to make money, or seat on Willies Junction and drink rum or sewo”
My comment here is not in defense of Petter, or the government of Dominica, but I will say this; if someone graduated in the community collage in Dominica, and wishes to attend a university, the responsibility should not belong to the government.
Thats not an entitlement!
If the graduate does not have the money to educate themselves, perhaps they should borrow from a bank, but one should not expect the government of any country to pay for the education of everyone. Some of us came to the United States, Canada, and elsewhere; we educated ourselves, by working by day, and went to school by night, and paid for our education from our pockets!
I agree that the situation in Dominica is different, however, unless someone deserves a government scholarship, the government of Dominica, is not obligated to send every community college graduate who believe they are entitled to go overseas to attend universities.
Our people are too dependent on government for everything; and that is why so many of our people have become political poppet’s to the politicians.
Everyone cannot go overseas to study: what could be done is either develop the community college into a four year college, hence more advance disciplines, and scientific classes can be offered. Since we are part of the University of the West Indies, maybe a campus can be set up on the island; such as Cave Hill in Barbados, St. Austin in Trinidad, and Mona campus in Trinidad.
If we develop an university in Dominica, the need to go to study in China Morocco and places where when one earns a degree is has no value in the modern world, one would be much better off doing their studies in Dominica.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Francisco you started off well but you are definitely out of touch with the happenings on island… We do not have a Community College, we have a huge 5 star Dominica State College!!!!
And what you mean by degrees from China etc is of no value? So which degrees are of value only those from USA, Canada and England?? SMFH shame on you to be so narrow minded boss!!!!
As far as I know every two year college the world over are classified and known as community colleges, since they only issue two year degrees, which can only be an AA “Associate in Arts, or an AS “Associate in Science.”
Now with all thing equal in Dominica, perhaps they can issue a masters degree in two years you know.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
Next thing you will hear is that someone graduated there with a PhD., you know, by the way, I have heard of Ivy League University’s, and colleges, I have never heard of a five star University, or collage.
I also heard that somebody in Dominica spoke about building a five star hotel. To my knowledge, people do not build five star hotels, however, based, on the services, and amenities contained, they are “rated” Five Star, or Four Star respectively.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
“and Mona campus in Trinidad.”
Sorry, that should read Jamaica: Mona campus of the UWI is locate in Jamaica!
FET.
lol this letter is based on true facts but trust me you the person could have sent it to him in person wi….. jah man
you are so right,it is simply politics,these people are campaining their guts out,but they will fail,we are still voting labour,and is because of these types of behavours,we are staying die hards to the ancient labour movement,we were born labour,we are going to die labour,all partys have tried and they died,freedom,UWP,MND,name it,labour has always been a poor peoples party,we will remain that way,those who do not like,you got a multi caribbean passport,you no what to do.
what do u expect of him. The ones who worked so hard to bring down plane loads of people from Laplaine to vote for him, they are still unemployed as we speak. If he did not help them, what makes you think he will help anyone else.
Is the writer and/or students of the area waiting on the minister to come to them?, i suggest if you are interested in any of the scholarships available make the move, the onus is upon you. If you make your interest known and don’t get his support then i can support your call.
You just know what is going on. So———–!
La Plaine people are so biased, they think if they go to Peter they lower themselves. I am so thankful for the bus fare thats being paid for my 3 children. They will do well because I am thankful. GOD HATES A PERSON THAT UNGRATEFUL AND OUR CHILDREN SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES. THATS WHY SOME OF THEM ASHAME OF THE 5 YEARS THEY GO HIGH SCHOOL. MARK MY WORDS.
Please,there have never been no preferential treatment especially in La Plaine. Look at how many students that are oversees from that constituency,i can attest most if not all are from non supporters of Peter,one is even back already.
Many of them are my peers and non of them want to go out to USA,they think 4yrs is too long to get another degree,and the others just want to make money, or seat on Willies Junction and drink rum or sewo,so speak for yourself. I bet you’re one that got partial scholarship and want to be upset here. smh
It seems that the writer of this letter is either malicious or downright ignorant of what is going on in the constituency of the minister for Education. In fact I believe it is the former since by the language you happen to know the writer. He cannot hide it is just too obvious. When you check the number of young people that Mr. St.Jean has sent to study both party supporters and those who the UWP candidate use to attack him it is surprising. Mr. St. Jean has sent much more young people to study in three years than Mr. Green sent in fifteen years as Parl rep. This iuus a weak attempt by the UWP to try to make a case where the evidence is clearly against them. Our Parl rep and minister Peter St.Jean is the best thing that has happened to the La Plaine Constituency.
@ms doris Speak for yourself because your comment does not represent the vast majority of Laplaine residents. We know the truth because we are living it right this moment. Who are you and where are you?
Why are you so thin skinned?. Let the person vent. You could all be the one telling a lie.
Don’t worry the attacks are going to keep on coming. This is the uwp mo.
u right the parl rep for 15 yrs .. but was in office for only 5 u guys seem to forget that … how long now labor is in power . r u so ignorant..wateva he asked for while in office was not provided so speak for urself.. is laplaine better off now that 15 yrs ago .. no for sure its worst
Do you think that he will listen to you…No .Very few politicians have a good heart …Most of them lie to just to win the election then full their pockets..You will see their families who never had ;suddenly have every thing…
They should know better because their families vote are never sufficient to make them win an elections…
I live in that area and some of them is aware of the opportunities to go and study and they are not interested. you cannot force education onto someone if they have no ineterst. i know what am talking about cause i mingle with them.
You certainly won’t qualify if you don’t know the difference between plural and singular: “…some of them is??) Really.
WOW. Please writer…share the response.